Yu Darvish could start his minor-league rehab as soon as Sunday

Manager Joe Maddon acknowledged that there’s a reasonable chance Darvish, who hasn’t pitched in a game since May 20 because of right triceps tendinitis, could make three minor-league rehabilitation starts on Sunday, Aug. 24 and Aug. 29.

“If good, those are potential dates,” Maddon said Wednesday, one day after Darvish threw 55 pitches in a simulated game.

Those dates were first disclosed by pitching coach Jim Hickey during his weekly radio show on WSCR-AM 670.

Coincidentally, Darvish could return during the Cubs-Brewers series in Milwaukee on Sept. 3-5 if his rehab goes as planned. The teams are playing the second of a two-game series Wednesday at Wrigley Field.

Meanwhile, Morrow is close to taking his next step in his recovery from right biceps inflammation. The closer has been out out since July 15.

“I hope to be off the mound on Saturday,” said Morrow, who has been throwing off flat ground for the past week.

Left-hander Drew Smyly is in a holding pattern after making progress from Tommy John surgery performed 13 months ago.

Unfortunately for the Brewers, Nelson has been all but ruled out for a return this season as he recovers from right shoulder surgery.

“Jimmy pitching for us this year is unlikely,” manager Craig Counsell said. “That’s not due to a setback of any nature. It’s due to the pace of his rehab right now.”

Optimism soared after Nelson, who was 12-6 with a 3.49 ERA in 29 starts before injuring his shoulder at Wrigley Field 11 months ago, initially was ahead of schedule.

“At this point, pitching for us, the timetable to get there doesn’t seem likely,” Counsell said. “And we wouldn’t push. No way we feel like we’d ever push him to get him ready for something, starting or relief. It wouldn’t make any sense. ... He’s got to be 100 percent ready.

“And it’s really more important that he feels good going into the winter. That’s the most important thing.”